Inscribing Angles and Polygons in Circles

Concept

Inscribed Angle

An inscribed angle is the angle created when two chords or secants intersect a circle. The arc that lies between the two lines, rays, or segments is called an intercepted arc.

It is then said that the angle at

A

intercepts the arc

BC.

Rule

Inscribed Angle Theorem

The measure of an inscribed angle is half that of its intercepted arc.

In the diagram above, the measure of

\angle BAC

is half the measure of arc

BC.

This can be proven with the Isosceles Triangle Theorem.

Find the measure of the inscribed angles

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Exercise

Given that the arc $ADB$ measures $270 ^\circ,$ find the measure of the inscribed angles $\angle D$ and $\angle C.$

Show Solution

Solution

To find the angle measures, we can use the Inscribed Angle Theorem. Thus, we have to find the measure of arc $AB$ first. The minor arc $AB,$ together with its corresponding major arc $ADB,$ corresponds to a full rotation. Thus, the sum of their measures is $360^\circ.$ This means that the measure of $AB$ must be $360^\circ - 270^\circ = 90^\circ.$ By the Inscribed Angles Theorem, angle $\angle D$ measures half that of its intercepted arc, $AB.$

Thus, $m\angle D = \dfrac{90^\circ} 2 = 45^\circ.$ For the same reason, $m\angle C$ is $45 ^\circ$ as well.

Concept

Circumscribed Angle

When two tangents of a circle intersect to create an angle, it is called a circumscribed angle.

In the diagram above,

\overleftrightarrow{AC}

and

\overleftrightarrow{AB}

are tangents to the circle, and

\angle A

is a circumscribed angle.

Find the measure of the circumscribed angle

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Exercise

Polol is a newbie chopstick user. When he picks a certain sushi roll up, he notices that he crosses the chopsticks. Out of curiosity, he wants to know the circumscribed angle created by the crossed chopsticks. For this, he makes two measurements: the arc between the chopsticks' point of contact with the roll measures $4.7$ cm and the sushi roll's diameter is $3.5$ cm. Use his measurements to find the angle.

Show Solution

Solution

Let's start by drawing a diagram corresponding to the situation. Notice that the sushi roll can be modeled by a circle, with the chopsticks being tangents to the circle.

The diameter of the circle is then $3.5$ cm, the length of arc $BC$ is $4.7$ cm, and we are interested in the measure of angle $\angle A.$ To find this, we'll first need the measure of arc $BC,$ which we can find by the ratio between the arc length and the circumference. The circumference is $\pi d = \pi \cdot 3.5 \approx 11.0 \text{ cm.}$ We can now calculate the arc measure.

\dfrac{\text{arc length}}{\text{circumference}} = \dfrac{\text{arc measure}}{360^\circ}

SubstituteII

\text{arc length}={\color{#0000FF}{4.7}}

,

\text{circumference}={\color{#009600}{11.0}}

\dfrac{{\color{#0000FF}{4.7}}}{{\color{#009600}{11.0}}} = \dfrac{\text{arc measure}}{360^\circ}

MultEqn

\text{LHS} \cdot 360^\circ=\text{RHS}\cdot 360^\circ

\dfrac{4.7}{11.0} \cdot 360^\circ = \text{arc measure}

UseCalcUse a calculator

153.81818\ldots^\circ = \text{arc measure}

RoundIntRound to nearest integer

154^\circ \approx \text{arc measure}

RearrangeEqnRearrange equation

\text{arc measure} \approx 154^\circ

We now know that the measure of arc $BC$ is $154^\circ.$ As $ABOC$ is a quadrilateral, it has the interior angle sum $360^\circ.$ With $m\angle B$ and $m\angle C$ being $90^\circ,$ the sum of $m\angle A$ and $m\angle O$ must then be $180^\circ.$

m\angle A + m\angle O = 180^\circ

Substitute

m\angle O={\color{#0000FF}{154^\circ}}

m\angle A + 154^\circ = 180^\circ

SubEqn

\text{LHS}-154^\circ=\text{RHS}-154^\circ

m\angle A = 26^\circ

The measure of the circumscribed angle is $26^\circ.$

Concept

Inscribed Polygon

A polygon whose vertices all lie on a circle is called an inscribed polygon. In this case, the circle is referred to as a circumscribed circle.

Rule

Inscribed Quadrilateral Theorem

The pairs of opposite angles in an inscribed quadrilateral are supplementary.

In the diagram above, $m\angle A + m\angle C = 180^\circ \quad \text{and} \quad m\angle B + m\angle D = 180^\circ.$ This can be proven using the Inscribed Angle Theorem.

Proof

Inscribed Quadrilateral Theorem

Consider the circle and the inscribed quadrilateral $ABCD.$

Notice that the arcs $BCD$ and $BAD$ together span the entire circle. Together, the sum of their measures is $360^\circ.$ By the Inscribed Angle Theorem, the measure of arc $BCD$ is equal to twice the measure of $\angle A.$ Similarly, the measure of $BAD$ is twice that of $m \angle C.$ By substitution, this gives $2m\angle C + 2m\angle A = 360^\circ.$ Simplifying gives $m\angle C + m\angle A = 180^\circ.$

Similar reasoning yields the same relationship between

m\angle B

and

m\angle D.

Therefore, the pairs of opposite angles of an inscribed quadrilateral are supplementary.

Construction

Inscribing a Square in a Circle

Using a compass and straightedge, it's possible to construct a square that's inscribed in a given circle. Start by drawing any diameter, naming the endpoints $A$ and $B.$

Then, using the compass and straightedge, draw the perpendicular bisector of the diameter. Name the intersections between the bisector and the circle $C$ and $D,$ respectively.

The quadrilateral $ACBD$ can now be drawn, which is in fact a square.

Construction

Drawing the Inscribed Circle of a Triangle

In a couple of steps, it's possible to draw the inscribed circle of a triangle, which is the largest circle completely contained within the triangle. First, draw the angle bisector of two vertices of the triangle. Label their intersection $A.$

This point, $A,$ is called the incenter of the triangle and is the only point for which the shortest distance to each side is equal. Next, draw a line through $A$ that intersects one of the sides at a right angle. Label this intersection $B.$

Place the sharp end of the compass at $A$ and the pencil end at $B.$ Draw a circle.

This circle is the inscribed circle of the triangle.

Construction

Drawing the Circumscribed Circle of a Triangle

Finding the circumscribed circle of a triangle, which is the circle intersecting all vertices, is done in a similar fashion as finding the inscribed one. Start by drawing the perpendicular bisector of two sides of the triangle. Label their intersection $A.$

This point, $A,$ is called the circumcenter and is located at equal distance from the vertices of the triangle. Now, place the sharp end of the compass in $A,$ the pencil end in any vertex, and draw the corresponding circle.

This circle is the circumscribed circle of the triangle.

Inscribing Angles and Polygons in Circles

Inscribed Angle

Inscribed Angle Theorem

Example

Find the measure of the inscribed angles

Circumscribed Angle

Example

Find the measure of the circumscribed angle

Inscribed Polygon

Inscribed Quadrilateral Theorem

Proof

Construction

Inscribing a Square in a Circle

Construction

Drawing the Inscribed Circle of a Triangle

Construction

Drawing the Circumscribed Circle of a Triangle